[Acute-onset thrombocytopenia following single inhalation xylene exposure--a case report]. / Ostra maloplytkowosc po jednorazowym wziewnym narazeniu na ksylen--opis przypadku.

Bone marrow damage is a well known consequence of chronic exposure to benzene and its homologues, which include xylene. Anemia dominates in the clinical picture and isolated thrombocytopenia is a rare symptom. We have not found reports of isolated thrombocytopenia in the course of acute xylene poisoning. A 56-years old man with thrombocytopenia, was admitted, after two days of work with concrete floor paint containing up to 17% xylene. The thrombocytes' nadir (29 x 10(9)/L) occurred on the fourth day from the exposure. After treatment with dexamethasone the platelet count normalized. There were no signs of hemorrhagic diathesis. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of thrombocytopenia in patients acutely exposed to xylene.

[The knowledge about gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as by students of Physical Education Academy]. / Wiedza studentów Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego na temat kwasu gamma- hydroksymaslowego (GHB).

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid is a substance stealthily used by criminals to facilitate sexual assaults. It is also known as doping agent in sports. Physical Education Academies should prepare their graduates to be educators for young people, their trainers, organizers of sports and recreational events. Second year students of two majors: physical education and tourism and recreation were surveyed by means of questionnaire on "date-rape drug". As much as 320 among 327 students surveyed had heard about "date-rape drug". However their knowledge on it was shallow and unsystematic. None of the surveyed knew that the substance of "date-rape drug" could also be used as a doping agent. Only 31% of respondents were aware of existence of the test to detect "date-rape drug" in drinks. Physical Education Academy students should be thoroughly and relevantly educated on the matter of pharmacologic doping agents and drugs endangerment.

Anatomy of the posterior cruciate ligament.

The views on the structure of the posterior cruciate ligament presented in the literature are not uniform. They can be ranged from those that refer to the ligament as an indivisible structure to those that regard it as an increasingly complex structure consisting of a number of bundles. The divisions are based on criteria related to the attachments, arrangement and functions of the components of the posterior cruciate ligament. Some researchers also specify the role of the receptors of the ligament.

[Diagnostic difficulties in foodborne botulism--case reports and literature review]. / Trudnosci diagnostyczne w zatruciu jadem kielbasianym--opis przypadków i przeglad pismiennictwa.

Food borne botulism is a relatively rare clinical syndrome, which symptomatology is generally highly distinctive. The physicians of various specialties should be familiar with the symptoms of botulism because its sings concern the nervous system, the organ of sight and the gastrointestinal system. In older persons with coexisting chronic diseases some symptoms of botulism may be not distinctive or may mimic exacerbation of early existing diseases. The handbook descriptions present the food borne botulism as dramatic and often deadly disease. However in some cases this disease can have mild course and poor symptomatology. Two cases of food borne botulism with different clinical course are presented in this paper, when the correct diagnosis was established with delay. A 78-year-old man was admitted with the symptoms of pneumonia and dizziness of uncertain aetiology. The diagnosis of food borne botulism was established in 10th day of hospital stay, when the most symptoms were not present. Despite of such late diagnosis and relatively good patient's condition a therapy with antitoxin was administrated. The second case reports a 70-year-old man with chronic heart failure, diabetes and obesity, when the delay of correct diagnosis was about of 24 hours. Despite of relatively early antitoxin administration and intensive supportive care patient died in 11th day of hospital stay.